A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
